(Note: This page optimized for mobile web. See my desktop site for a downloadable .pdf of my full resume)

John W. Merle
(248) 252-5460
JMretouching@gmail.com

Career Goal: 
I am passionate, driven, and highly adaptable. My professional goal is to expand my skills, talent, and passion for digital image creation, manipulation, retouching, illustration, animation and web design. To achieve this goal my current plan is to obtain a Bachelor's degree in a related field. Ultimately, my ideal position would combine my project management experience with my creative talents.

Portfolio: 
www.jmretouching.daportfolio.com/
www.jmretouching.com/

Qualifications:
- Over five years professional experience in computer graphics.
- Talented artist with very organized work ethics, an eye for detail, personal interest in automobiles, and practical experience in project management.
- Experience in computer graphics creation, conventional and digital illustration, image manipulation and enhancement, automotive illustration and styling, Flash animation, and website design.
- Skilled in using graphics / web software (see detailed list below).
- Thirteen years (+) experience project management experience in the auto industry.

Software:
Graphics: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Fireworks, Corel Paint Shop Pro, Painter, Jasc Animation Shop
Web: Adobe Dreamweaver,  Flash, ImageReady
Layout: Adobe InDesign, Acrobat Professional
Office/Information: Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, Access, Project, Lotus Notes

Recent work:
www.cupcakestation.com
Responsible for design of their 2010 Calendar and all recent advertising (available on their website, Examples of print ad images on my alternate site: www.jmretouching.daportfolio.comwww.bdgardendesign.com
Responsible for complete design of site to customer specifications from concept to launch. Design of logo, graphics, and HTML with CSS.
www.expressfreshseafood.com
Recently closed site. Examples of work posted on my daportfolio website. Created logo, Flash, all graphics and layout of site. Also created all Corporate Identity / Promotional materials. Gift certificates, Brochures, Shipping Labels, etc.

Education:
College for Creative Studies
Detroit, MI
Certificate of Digital Arts: Web
  Completed: 11/07
Certificate of Digital Arts: Print
  Completed: 9/08

Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI
Associate in Applied Science
General Studies / Computer Aided Design Tech. in Auto Body Applications
  Completed 6/02

Employment:
JM Retouching: Digital Artist
3-05 - Present
- Create, resize, enhance, manipulate and provide finished quality computer graphics to be used in multiple client’s electronic media, websites and print advertising.
- Work independently following work order guidelines.

Chrysler LLC: Prototype Build Specialist
(Aerotek Engineering contracted to Chrysler LLC)
11/98 - 11/08
- Drove redesign of SAP-based computer systems used by Engineering to enter/manage test requirements, build specifications, bills of materials and fleet management. This increased operating efficiency of the entire Chrysler Product Development process and minimized waste in fleet usage.
- Created and managed prototype build plan and all vehicle specifications for multiple platforms. Ensure they remain synchronized with a constantly changing product plan.
- Expedited prototype build process and issue resolution efforts to maximize quality in production.